On Friday 13 September, the Rector Major met the Provincial, Fr Jose Kuruvachira, and the members of the Provincial Council. He spent practically the entire morning with them, discussing the current state of the Province and the projects and challenges for the future, and reiterating the guidelines of the entire Congregation. This moment of fraternal exchange culminated in the celebration of the Eucharist presided by Fr Á.F. Artime with a special prayer for the Province and for the Provincial Vicar, Fr Nazarius Lakra SDB, who celebrated his birthday that day.
In the afternoon, after the festive lunch with the lay collaborators in the community of the Provincial House, the Successor of Don Bosco reached the “St. Mary” House of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (MSMHC), the 12th group of the Salesian Family. During the cordial meeting, the Rector Major was congratulated by the institute's musical band, by the girls who attend, and by the sisters themselves; and he returned the affection he had received with words of encouragement to all and even playing several Spanish songs.
Later, he visited a Salesian Non-Formal Vocational Training Center, also located in Dimapur. He met the Center's Director, Fr Devasia Rajeesh, and other confreres in the community, from whom he received a detailed account of the apostolate carried out for disadvantaged young people: courses in carpentry, welding, motor mechanics, animal husbandry, driving, organic farming and fishing. Satisfied in seeing the wide range of services being offered, the Rector Major praised their efforts and commitment and urged them to continue in this properly Salesian service.
On the last day spent at Dimapur, Saturday 14 September, Fr Artime celebrated the Eucharist with the community of the Provincial House and then, escorted by the Provincial and a good part of his Council, he reached the airport from which he left for Calcutta, a a stopover, for his definitive return to the Salesian Central Office.
Fr Jonas Kerketta, SDB
